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Experiment 2: Let’s see what happens when we repeat the same experiment
with solution B, whose pH is also maintained at 7.0. When we add 10 mL of
0.2M HCl to it, the pH decreases by only 0.2 units to 6.8. Next, when we add
10 mL of NaOH to solution B, the pH just slightly rises to 7.2 from 7.0. In both
these cases we do not see a drastic change in pH, as we observed with
solution A.
So, our observation from this experiment is that solution A underwent drastic
changes in pH upon addition of a strong acid or a strong base, while solution
B resisted a change in pH.
Can you guess what the difference might be between solutions A and B?
mixing a large volume of a weak acid with its conjugate base (eg. acetic
acid – acetate ion, CH3 COOH – CH3 COO- )
mixing a large volume of weak base with its conjugate acid (eg. ammonia
– ammonium ion, NH3 – NH4 + )
When a strong base is added, the acid present in the buffer neutralizes
the hydroxide ions (OH- ).
When a strong acid is added, the base present in the buffer neutralizes
the hydronium ions (H3 O+ ).
Let’s understand this principle through the two examples we listed above.
1. Suppose we have a buffer that contains acetic acid (CH3 COOH) and its
conjugate base, acetate ion (CH3 COO- ), as depicted below.
When a strong acid is added, the acetate ions neutralize the hydronium
ions producing acetic acid (which is already a component of the buffer).
On the other hand, when a strong base is added, acetic acid consumes
the hydroxide ions producing acetate ions (which is also already a
constituent of the buffer).
2. Suppose we have a buffer that contains a weak base (NH3 ) and its
conjugate acid, ammonium ion (NH4 + ), as shown below.
When a strong acid is added, ammonia neutralizes the hydronium ions
producing ammonium ions (which is already a component of the buffer).
[A− ][H3 O+ ]
Ka =
[HA]
Ka [HA]
[H3 O+ ] =
[A− ]
pH = −log[H3 O+ ]
The more A- and HA molecules available, the less of an effect the addition of
a strong acid or base will have on the pH of the solution. For example, let’s
see what will happen if we add a strong acid such as HCl to this buffer.
Initially, the protons produced will be taken up by the conjugate base (A- )
A− + HCl → HA + Cl−
This will slightly change the pH by altering the ratio [HA]/[A- ] as [A- ] and [HA]
are constantly changing, but as long as there is enough A- present, the
change in pH will be small. But if we keep adding HCl, eventually A- will run
out. Once there is no more A- left, any additional HCl will donate its proton to
water (HCl + H2 O → H3 O+ + Cl- ). This will dramatically increase the
concentration [H3 O+ ], leading to a drastic change in the pH of the solution.
The number of moles of the weak acid and its conjugate base must be
significantly large compared to the number of moles of strong acid or
base that may be added.
The best buffering will occur when the ratio of [HA] to [A- ] is almost 1:1. In
that case pH = pKa . Buffers are considered to be effective when the ratio
of [HA] to [A- ] ranges anywhere between 10:1 and 1:10.
Buffering system of blood
Maintaining a constant blood pH is critical for the proper functioning of our
body. The buffer that maintains the pH of human blood involves a carbonic
acid (H2 CO3 ) - bicarbonate ion (HCO3 – ) system.
When any acidic substance enters the bloodstream, the bicarbonate ions
neutralize the hydronium ions forming carbonic acid and water. Carbonic acid
is already a component of the buffering system of blood. Thus hydronium ions
are removed, preventing the pH of blood from becoming acidic.
On the other hand, when a basic substance enters the bloodstream, carbonic
acid reacts with the hydroxide ions producing bicarbonate ions and water.
Bicarbonate ions are already a component of the buffer. In this manner, the
hydroxide ions are removed from blood, preventing the pH of blood from
becoming basic.
Enzymes are very specific in nature, and function optimally at the right
temperature and the right pH; if the pH of blood goes out of range, the
enzymes stop working and sometimes enzymes can even get permanently
denatured, thus disabling their catalytic activity. This in turn affects a lot of
biological processes in the human body, leading to various diseases.